Struggles with Poverty
85
us near to Jesus. The furnace consumes the dross and brightens the
gold.
At this time I was shown that the Lord had been trying us for our
good, and to prepare us to labor for others; that He had been stirring up
our nest, lest we should settle down at ease. Our work was to labor for
souls; if we had been prospered, home would be so pleasant that we
would be unwilling to leave it; trials had been permitted to come upon
us to prepare us for the still greater conflicts that we would meet in
our travels. We soon received letters from brethren in different States,
inviting us to visit them; but we had no means to take us out of the
State. Our reply was that the way was not open before us. I thought
that it would be impossible for me to travel with my child. We did not
wish to be dependent, and were careful to live within our means. We
were resolved to suffer rather than get in debt.
Little Henry was soon taken very sick, and grew worse so fast that
we were much alarmed. He lay in a stupid state; his breathing was
quick and heavy. We gave remedies with no success. We then called
in a person of experience in sickness, who said that his recovery was
doubtful. We had prayed for him, but there was no change. We had
[107]
made the child an excuse for not traveling and laboring for the good of
others, and we feared the Lord was about to remove him. Once more
we went before the Lord, praying that he would have compassion upon
us, and spare the life of the child, and solemnly pledging ourselves to
go forth trusting in God, wherever He might send us.
Our petitions were fervent and agonizing. By faith we claimed the
promises of God, and we believed that he listened to our cries. Light
from heaven was breaking through the clouds and shining upon us.
Our prayers were graciously answered. From that hour the child began
to recover.
First Visit to Connecticut
While at Topsham we received a letter from Brother E. L. H.
Chamberlain, of Middletown, Conn., urging us to attend a conference
in that State in April, 1848. We decided to go if we could obtain means.
My husband settled with his employer, and found that there was ten
dollars due him. With five of this I purchased articles of clothing that
we very much needed, and then patched by husband’s overcoat, even